Rico Hizon - BBC World's lone Pinoy Anchor

By Lawrence Lu

Rico Hizon

Rico Hizon is on the 13th year of raising the Philippine flag on the international broadcasting stage. He is the first and remains the only Pinoy news anchor for two of the most prestigious global news organizations – CNBC Asia and BBC World.

As anchor on BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation), his business news reaches 280 million households worldwide every weekday. Seven times a day, live from the BBC's Asia-Pacific studios in Singapore, he delivers the latest trends on financial markets and interviews movers and shakers on Asian Business Report and World Business Report.

"I feel proud being Pinoy when I anchor every news program. People even tell me I'm sort of like a Philippine ambassador because the network can be watched in hundreds of countries," says Rico Hizon.

"I love this job! I get to interview presidents, prime ministers, CEOs and sports personalities," he enthuses. Among his notable interviewees have been former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Philippine Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo, Czech President Vaclav Klaus, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Virgin Group's top honcho Sir Richard Branson, NBA Superstars Grant Hill and David Robinson – and the list goes on.

Rico has mastered the art of reporting on stock market bulls and bears, earnings bonanzas, recessions and lay-offs, interviewing industry leaders with ease while exuding endearing warmth so characteristic of Filipinos.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

News Junkie

His career has progressed to the international broadcasting field, but he has always had a view to promoting and enhancing his country's global image.

Commitment to his socio-civic responsibilities to the Filipino community in Singapore, he has been president of the Philippine Cultural Society (Singapore) and is now its honorary president. He's presently also a Board member of the Philippine Bayanihan Society (Singapore) and an executive board member/volunteer of NAMFREL, Singapore Chapter.

Rico is also an ever-willing host/emcee for various Filipino community events, from the Independence Day celebrations to Search for a Filipino Star (the Pinoy version of American Idol in Singapore). "If my schedule permits, I will do anything for the community, from hosting to promoting and assisting them in their activities," he says.

This commitment to country and profession has not gone unnoticed by his countrymen at home and abroad. In 2004, he received both the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award in Mass Media and the youngest recipient of De La Salle University's La Sallian Achiever in Mass Media Award. In 2005 he was named the Most Outstanding Filipino in Singapore (MOFS). By 2006, a TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) awards body caught up with him in the category of International Journalism and Community Service.

"I've always been a news junkie."

On his 20th year as a broadcast journalist, this De La Salle University alumnus recalls how much he wanted to become a reporter since he was a little boy. "I've always been a news junkie. Since grade school I was a regular viewer of top rated news programs such as NewsWatch 9 and GMA Balita on 7. My favorite anchors then were Bong Lapira, Joe Sobrino, Harry Gasser, Dong Puno and the late Frankie Evangelista. They all had unique styles, but I have formulated my own style in presenting the news" says Rico with his typical enthusiasm.

Before taking off on the world stage with CNBC and the BBC, he was a broadcast journalist for GMA-7. He wore many hats from 1988 to 1995: reporter and supervising producer for the multi-awarded public affairs programs, Viewpoint and Issues and Answers; co-anchor of Business Today with Dong Puno; and anchor/business reporter for the GMA News Public and Affairs team. He also spent time anchoring Stock Market Live on the Sarimanok Channel (ANC) from the Makati Stock Exchange.

Patron of the Arts and Good News

Singapore has been home to Rico, his wife Melannie Syquia and their three-year-old son Migo for the past ten years of CNBC and BBC. Busy with Migo, Melannie has also taken on her own advocacy for Filipino art, educating Singaporean and international art collectors on the outstanding Filipino visual talent now making waves in the region and beyond.

"We support Filipino art and only our very own art. There's been temptation over the years to buy Indonesian, Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese, but Melannie and I have stayed committed to just collect and promote Filipino art," Rico stresses.

The Melannie and Rico Collection includes works by the National Artist and their dear friend BenCab, icons like Arturo Luz, Jose Elizalde Navarro, Jose Joya, Vicente Manansala, Ang Kiukok, Onib Olmedo, Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Mauro Malang Santos, and popular young contemporary artists Mark Justiniani, Jose Santos III, Elmer Borlongan, Joy Mallari, Marcel Antonio, Christian Tamondong, Romeo Forbes, Wilfredo Alicdan and Allan Jay Balisi.

But there's yet another advocacy that keeps Rico busy after hours with other Pinoys who love their country. This website celebrates the good in the Filipino and the Philippines in an alternative news venue where kabayans all over the world can access timeless stories of the kindness, accomplishment and success of their own. "There is no bad news here, only a celebration of good news," Rico smiles.

"I am very blessed!" he next reflects. "Never a day goes by that I do not thank God for all the blessings He has given me and my family. He has also blessed me with a very supportive family - my wife and parents, Jose and Leonor Hizon, brothers and sisters Ernie, Nanette and Len-len, and my in-laws Chiqui and Girl Syquia. They have always reminded me to keep my feet on the ground, but also keep reaching for the stars.

"I love my country and I'm proud to be a Filipino. It is indeed an honor to be representing my country on the global broadcasting stage," says Rico with forgivable pride.

Courtesy of Inquirer Online